Hungary Bans Ukrainian Commander over Druzhba Pipeline Attack

Hungary has taken the step of banning the commander of the Ukrainian unit responsible for the most recent strike against the Druzhba oil pipeline, one of Central Europe’s main energy lifelines. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Thursday in Budapest that the officer will not be allowed to enter Hungary or any country in the Schengen Area.

Szijjártó described the attack as extremely serious, stressing that it was directed not only at the infrastructure but at Hungary’s sovereignty and security of supply. He noted that repair efforts took so long that Hungary nearly had to draw on its strategic emergency reserves.

The Druzhba pipeline, built during the Soviet era, delivers Russian crude to Hungary, Slovakia, and other European countries. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the route has repeatedly come under attack. While Kyiv has argued that strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are part of its military strategy, Budapest insists that targeting Druzhba primarily harms Hungary and Slovakia, which depend heavily on the line.

‘Ukraine knows perfectly well that the Druzhba pipeline is indispensable for Hungary’s energy security. Attacks against it do not primarily hurt Russia, but Hungary and Slovakia,’ Szijjártó said. He stressed that the government considers the latest strike an outright attack on Hungary’s sovereignty and will not let it go unanswered.

‘This Ukrainian citizen will not be allowed to set foot on Hungarian or Schengen territory in the coming years,’ the minister declared. He warned that anyone who threatens Hungary’s energy security or sovereignty must expect consequences.

Szijjártó concluded that the government will continue to defend national interests, protect the safety of energy supply, and stand firm against actions that endanger sovereignty.

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